UConn Have Already Found Replacement but There’s One Problem; Dan Hurley Isn’t Going to Lakers

The college basketball fans met with shock when there were rumors in the market that their favorite coach Dan Hurley would be taking the head mentor position for the Los Angeles Lakers. UConn soon started its search for Hurley’s replacement. With tedious efforts, their search reportedly narrowed down to Bruce Pearl. But, they were going too fast for Hurley.

As per Hoopswire, Hurley is in a good place. He might not take the job offer with the Lakers. “No one is really saying as much, but the Lakers job could be thankless. Dan has a good thing going right where he is,” stated a source. Notably, Hurley has helped his team win back-to-back NCAA Championships and therefore he enjoys a certain freedom with the Huskies. Furthermore, he is also good at team building which is a major part of his resume. Going back to the NBA meant having to understand the scenario from a new perspective.

Dan Hurley has indeed built a skillful squad. And his transfer news had brought a lot of worries for the Huskies fans. According to the NCAA rule, a change in coach would have meant that the transfer portal would have opened for the next 30 days which could have resulted in the Huskies star athletes looking for a new home if they were distressed with the end of their bond with their mentor Hurley.

If Hurley doesn’t want to go ahead with the Lakers that means he is ready to sacrifice a big opportunity for his favorite team. Earlier in the year when he was asked about leaving the Huskies, he straightaway remarked what it meant to him and especially his wife. “I mean, we just went to Rhode Island, which I had to drag her to, and then to Connecticut. I got her closer [to New Jersey]. And now further? I can’t afford a divorce right now, too. I just started making money,” Hurley joked as per ESPN.

Who can the Lakers get instead of Dan Hurley?

The other two coaches whose names primarily pop up when talking of the Lakers’ head coaching position are JJ Redick and James Borrego. And as per Hoops Wire, Reddick leads Borrego in this race. For the record, Reddick last played for the Dallas Mavericks, and making him the head coach would mean a lot of insight from the player’s perspective since he gave his best at the highest level for years.

On the other hand, Borrego is an assistant at the New Orleans Pelicans and has been the head coach with the Charlotte Hornets. Therefore, his becoming the head coach will mean a lot of changes from the coach’s point of view. But, what backfires for him is that he was let off from the Hornets in April 2022 and hence he has had his share of failures in the coaching world.

If the sources are to be believed then Hurley is not going to accept a job offer with the Lakers and it remains to be seen who will win among the two left coaches. Let us know in the comments below.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video.